Embroidery frame

ABSTRACT

An adjustable frame for embroidery, quilting, needlepoint and the like, having interconnected side members relatively adjustable with respect to one another for size and configuration adjustment, to hold a piece of material in a taut condition, with braces in the nature of chucks being provided at selected points of side member interconnections for strength, rigidity and user comfort and adaptability.

United States Patent 1191 Hanley 1111 3,811,209 May 21, 1974 [54] EMBROIDERY FRAME 2,228,645 1/1941 Schmitz 38 1026 t H H 1 R0. B 537, [76] [men or s z fi i 1 Primary Exammer-Patnck D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Davidl-i. Semmes [22] Filed: May 14, 1973 I [211 App]. No.: 359,820 [57] ABSTRACT An adjustable frame for embroidery, quilting, needle- [52 US. Cl. 38/l02.6 Point and the like, having interwnnected Side [51] Int. Cl. D06c 3/08 rPlath/e1) adjustable with respect to one anothr 58 Field of Search 38/1026, 102.1 for Size andconfiguration adjustment, to hold a piece of material in a taut condition, with braces in the na- 5 R f e Cited ture of chucks being provided at selected points of UNITED STATES PATENTS side member interconnections for strength, rigidity and user comfort and adaptabi1ity. 2,117,055 5/1938 Davis 1. 38/1026 1,706,283 3/1929 Flink 38/102.6 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures mg]: L 9 I 1. SJ

E U |4 f \/22 EMBROIDERY FRAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A need exists for a frame which is adjustable in size, shape and alignment for embroidery, quilting and neeside members 14 and 16 there is a brace or chuck 32 dlepoint work by a user, which at the same time prov BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present adjustable frame for embroidery, quilting, needlepoint and the like includes four side members which are slotted and placed in overlapping arrangement, one side with respect to the other, with bolts and wing nuts or the like engaging through mating slots for adjustability of dimensions of the frame, alignment and for securement in a set size. Cross bracing in the nature of chucks are provided at selected points of side member interconnections for rigidity and securing of the frame to facilitate alignment of side members, enhance rigidity of the frame and provide comfort and adaptability of use of the frame.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: I I

FIG. I is a plan view of the frame of the invention;

HO. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of one side member showing the chuck integral therewith; and

FIG. 3 is a side'elevation of a corner section of the frame showing the interengagement of parts.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the frame consists of four side frame members interconnectible and relatively adjustable with respect to'one mating slots provides for adjustability of dimensions ofanother by means of coacting slots, bolts and wing nuts or the like. In the embodiment shown, these side members include, for descriptive purposes only, a top longitudinal member 10, a bottom longitudinal member 12, a left side member 14 and a right side member 16. The terminology is not considered to be limitative since in normal usage the overall frame might well be placed in a users lap and the relative positions of the individual side members and orientation of the overall frame can vary.

The members l0, 12, 14 and 16 are respectively provided with elongated slots 18, 20, 22 and 24 which terminate short of the ends of the members.

The frame, when assembled for use, has the side members placed in overlapping arrangement, one with respect to the other, and as shown in the drawing, the longitudinal members 10 and '12 overlap the side members l4 and 16 with the slots therein in overlapping coacting relationship to receive therethrough bolts 26 on which are threadedly engaged wing nuts 28 or the like and if desired, and as shown, washers 30 on the outer sides of the overlapped side members to provide spacial coverage of the slots and strength characteristics. This arrangement and intercoaction of the slots and the securement means permits the individual side members and longitudinal members to be respectively adjusted for varying the length and height of the assembled frame as will be readily understood.

On the end of at least one of the frame members and preferably at the lower or bottom ends of each of the ment means are not shown.

of a generally truncated triangular shape or other suitable trapezoidal configuration including a flat inner surface 34 which extends above the side member and is adapted for abutting engagement with the outer side of longitudinal member 12. Preferably, the chuck or brace 32 and side member 14 or 16 are formed integrally by molding of plastic materialor the like. The exte'rnal configuration of the chuck or brace is such that when placed in a users lap comfort and adaptability are assured.

This interengagement of surfaces enhances alignment of the longitudinal and side members while also serving to rigidify the assembled frame. While chucks or braces 32 are shown at the lower ends of each side member 14, 16, it is contemplated that a single one can be used depending'upon desired end results sought and could be varied for different applications.

It is also contemplated that an additional chuck, or

'a plurality thereof, could be provided on the ends of other frame members such as shown in broken lines,

for example, at 36 in the upper lefthand corner of the frame. This additional member 36 could be formed integrally with a side or longitudinal member or could be formed separately therefrom and have mating holes as at 38 to permit assembly and securement by means of a bolt, wing nut or the like combination.

In the arrangement shown, the frame which consists of the four side members which are slotted and placed in overlapping arrangement, one side with respect to the other, with bolts and wing nuts engaging through the frame and for securement in a desired set size. The cross braces provided at the ends of two crossed side members provides rigidity for securing of the frame. This brace member having the raised or offset truncated triangular shaped configuration in the nature of a lug which mates with portions of the overlapped ends at right angles-to one another insures proper alignment and enhanced rigidity in the frame. The construction is such that the frame can be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled and readily adjusted for different work pieces secured thereto. The work piece can be attached to the various side members of the frame in any desired manner known in the art, and specific secure- Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1, aligning references or indices 40 and 42 may be imprinted upon the side members 14 and 16 as an assistance in aligning top longitudinal member 10 during setting up of the embroidery frame.

Manifestly, .minor changes in details of construction can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An embroidery frame and the like comprising:

A. a plurality of elongated frame side members;

B. said frame side members having elongated slots therein; 7

C. some said frame side members being disposed in overlappingangularly offset engagement with respect to others,.with said slots being positioned in overlapped alignment;

D. adjustable securement means extending through the aligned slots for rigidlyand adjustably securing the overlapped frame side members with respect to v one another; I

E. a cross brace on at lease one side frame member;

and

F. said cross brace and said side frame member consisting of an integral molded plastic one piece entity, said cross brace extending above the plane of said side frame memberand having aflat inner surface operatively engageable with a side of said overlapped side frame member for alignment of said members, and enhanced rigidity of the assem-.

bled frame.

2. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 1, said cross brace having a truncated triangular configuration on the exterior end thereof to facilitate user support and disposition. I

3. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 2, a said cross brace being provided on at least two said side frame members operatively engaged with the same side of a saidoverlapped side frame member.

4. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 3, said adjustable securement' means comprising a bolt extending through the aligned slots, washers on said bolt engaging the exterior surfaces of said overlapped side frame members and a wing nut in screw threaded engagement on the end of said bolt.

5. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 4 and further including an additional cross brace side frame member to which attached having mating I holes therethrough and adjustable securement means extending through said holes for engagement of the cross brace and side frame member. 

1. An embroidery frame and the like comprising: A. a plurality of elongated frame side members; B. said frame side members having elongated slots therein; C. some said frame side members being disposed in overlapping angularly offset engagement with respect to others, with said slots being positioned in overlapped alignment; D. adjustable securement means extending through the aligned slots for rigidly and adjustably securing the overlapped frame side members with respect to one another; E. a cross brace on at lease one side frame member; and F. said cross brace and said side frame member consisting of an integral molded plastic one piece entity, said cross brace extending above the plane of said side frame member and having a flat inner surface operatively engageable with a side of said overlapped side frame member for alignment of said members, and enhanced rigidity of the assembled frame.
 2. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 1, said cross brace having a truncated triangular configuration on the exterior end thereof to facilitate user support and disposition.
 3. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 2, a said cross brace being provided on at least two said side frame members operatively engaged wIth the same side of a said overlapped side frame member.
 4. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 3, said adjustable securement means comprising a bolt extending through the aligned slots, washers on said bolt engaging the exterior surfaces of said overlapped side frame members and a wing nut in screw threaded engagement on the end of said bolt.
 5. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 4 and further including an additional cross brace removeably affixed to another of said side frame members at an end thereof and engageable with a mating overlapped side frame member.
 6. An embroidery frame and the like as claimed in claim 5, the additional cross brace and the end of the side frame member to which attached having mating holes therethrough and adjustable securement means extending through said holes for engagement of the cross brace and side frame member. 